Gatorland or Wild Florida

[FSU Girl]

I wasn’t sure where to post this, but it’s an Orlando attraction so I think here. I’ve never been to Gatorland or Wild Florida and I’m planning to visit one for my husbands birthday. Which would be the better option? We’ll have all day to enjoy one. It’s for this weekend so it’ll be cold, not sure if that makes a difference or not. Gatorland is a lot cheaper.

it looks like Wild Florida has a drive through safari. Has anyone been here that’s also been to Lion Country Safari? That’s by my house and I’ve been a lot so I’m not sure if this would be the same or better/worse.

For Gatorland would the upgrade to feed the gators worth it? It’s not much so probably would.

 

[JJ2017]

Gatorland was unique for us, so we chose that over Wild Florida. Gatorland was also a lot closer to where we were staying. It was a highlight of our trip b/c of how different of an experience it was. We did buy some food and we also decided to pay to take pictures with the gators. Totally memorable experience.

 

[FSU Girl]

Gatorland was unique for us, so we chose that over Wild Florida. Gatorland was also a lot closer to where we were staying. It was a highlight of our trip b/c of how different of an experience it was. We did buy some food and we also decided to pay to take pictures with the gators. Totally memorable experience.

Thanks! Were those two different packages feeding them and pictures? Also what kind of shoes would you recommend, would sandals be ok or should we wear sneakers?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We have been to both Wild Florida and Gatorland (the latter, several times). Wild Florida has a great airboat ride (which I would very much recommend), but unless things have changed since our visit there, the animal park is small. AND, it;s a much longer drive to get there and back.

Gatorland is a fun place to spend a day. It's all about fun and corny jokes and alligators. The shows are entertaining and animals are abundant. We were just there most recently two weeks ago, and did the Adventure Hour (where you hand feed chunks of raw beef to the giant gators on the beach of the breeding marsh) and Stompin' Gator Monster Truck Ride. The experiences are separate from the photos; a photo purchase is optional and they have several different options available for purchase, from prints, print(s) + frame(s), and digital pictures on a USB.

They also sell bags of gator chow, if you just want to feed the smaller alligators at the front of the park. They have deals for the purchase of multiple bags at one time. I want to say that one bag is $4 or thereabouts (my husband took care of buying two bags on our most recent visit so I don't know the exact cost). That food is like giant pieces of dog kibble.

They also have an opportunity to hold a giant snake after the Up Close Encounters show (for a $5 donation to their conservation charity). Again, photos are optional and additional.

And finally, they have a station near the front of the park where you can get your picture holding a baby gator or a snake. This is also an additional fee (not sure how much, we have yet to do either).

The Adventure Hour is about $10 per person and easily the best add-on, in my option. The monster truck ride was fun and silly (very much Gatorland-style!) but short in relation to the cost. It was probably a one and one for us.

I will try and post some pictures of those experiences in a separate post so you have a visual of what to expect.

Just remember, if its cold when you go to either Gatorland or Wild Florida, you won't see much "gator action". Cold weather makes gators very.....docile.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Holding the snake after the Up Close Encounters show ($5 donation, cash only):

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Adventure Hour: hand feeding the BIG gators who live in the breeding marsh.

Gloves are provided. Each participant gets three large chunks of raw meat to toss to whatever gator they choose. You can take as many photos as you wish while in the Adventure Hour enclosed area, but you must allow the photographer to take your photo at the conclusion of the experience (purchase is optional).

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Gator Chow, by the bag. Various prices depending on how many bags you buy. We broke some of the big pieces in half for the really little gators.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Stompin' Gator Monster Truck Ride. I won't post pics of what you actually see on the ride so as not to spoil the experience for you (if you choose to do it).

 

[FSU Girl]

We have been to both Wild Florida and Gatorland (the latter, several times). Wild Florida has a great airboat ride (which I would very much recommend), but unless things have changed since our visit there, the animal park is small. AND, it;s a much longer drive to get there and back.

Gatorland is a fun place to spend a day. It's all about fun and corny jokes and alligators. The shows are entertaining and animals are abundant. We were just there most recently two weeks ago, and did the Adventure Hour (where you hand feed chunks of raw beef to the giant gators on the beach of the breeding marsh) and Stompin' Gator Monster Truck Ride. The experiences are separate from the photos; a photo purchase is optional and they have several different options available for purchase, from prints, print(s) + frame(s), and digital pictures on a USB.

They also sell bags of gator chow, if you just want to feed the smaller alligators at the front of the park. They have deals for the purchase of multiple bags at one time. I want to say that one bag is $4 or thereabouts (my husband took care of buying two bags on our most recent visit so I don't know the exact cost). That food is like giant pieces of dog kibble.

They also have an opportunity to hold a giant snake after the Up Close Encounters show (for a $5 donation to their conservation charity). Again, photos are optional and additional.

And finally, they have a station near the front of the park where you can get your picture holding a baby gator or a snake. This is also an additional fee (not sure how much, we have yet to do either).

The Adventure Hour is about $10 per person and easily the best add-on, in my option. The monster truck ride was fun and silly (very much Gatorland-style!) but short in relation to the cost. It was probably a one and one for us.

I will try and post some pictures of those experiences in a separate post so you have a visual of what to expect.

Just remember, if its cold when you go to either Gatorland or Wild Florida, you won't see much "gator action". Cold weather makes gators very.....docile.

This is great information! And thank you for posting the pictures! Are you allowed to take any photos on your own phone or everything has to be done through their photographers?

we are going this coming weekend so it’s going to be really cold. Hopefully they will still be out to see. Do you think the cold weather will make it not worth the trip?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

This is great information! And thank you for posting the pictures! Are you allowed to take any photos on your own phone or everything has to be done through their photographers?

we are going this coming weekend so it’s going to be really cold. Hopefully they will still be out to see. Do you think the cold weather will make it not worth the trip?

You are allowed to take all the photos you wish with your own devices. You just must pose for that one professional pic at Adventure Hour, even if you don't buy it.

We did the Night Shine tour at Gatorland a year or so ago (which is FABULOUS, by the way.......1000% recommend, it was worth double what we paid for it) and it was so "cold" that everyone else that booked cancelled except for us. We are Canadians living in Michigan, so "cold" Florida weather is very tolerable for us northerners. The gators were definitely noticeable less active, but it was still a great time regardless. How low are temperatures supposed to be this weekend? Is it supposed to be cold and sunny, or cold and overcast?

 

[FSU Girl]

You are allowed to take all the photos you wish with your own devices. You just must pose for that one professional pic at Adventure Hour, even if you don't buy it.

We did the Night Shine tour at Gatorland a year or so ago (which is FABULOUS, by the way.......1000% recommend, it was worth double what we paid for it) and it was so "cold" that everyone else that booked cancelled except for us. We are Canadians living in Michigan, so "cold" Florida weather is very tolerable for us northerners. The gators were definitely noticeable less active, but it was still a great time regardless. How low are temperatures supposed to be this weekend? Is it supposed to be cold and sunny, or cold and overcast?

I’m a Florida girl born and raised so I get cold easily lol but I also love it. It’s currently saying it’ll be sunny but a high of 55 and low of 30. So definitely colder than a normal Florida day. I didn’t know about the night tour that sounds fun! I don’t think we’ll be able to do that this trip I already have things booked at night. Do they care if you take pictures posing in front of the alligators? Or you just can’t where they take their professional one?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I’m a Florida girl born and raised so I get cold easily lol but I also love it. It’s currently saying it’ll be sunny but a high of 55 and low of 30. So definitely colder than a normal Florida day. I didn’t know about the night tour that sounds fun! I don’t think we’ll be able to do that this trip I already have things booked at night. Do they care if you take pictures posing in front of the alligators? Or you just can’t where they take their professional one?

You can take your own photos in front of the gators, no problem. They just make you pose for one "professional" shot at the end of the feeding session.

55 sounds marvelous (and warm lol). I'm not sure we made it to 20 as a high today!

Definitely keep the Night Shine tour in the back of your mind for the next trip. You won't regret it!

 

[FSU Girl]

You can take your own photos in front of the gators, no problem. They just make you pose for one "professional" shot at the end of the feeding session.

55 sounds marvelous (and warm lol). I'm not sure we made it to 20 as a high today!

Definitely keep the Night Shine tour in the back of your mind for the next trip. You won't regret it!

Thank you for all the tips!

 

[FSU Girl]

You can take your own photos in front of the gators, no problem. They just make you pose for one "professional" shot at the end of the feeding session.

55 sounds marvelous (and warm lol). I'm not sure we made it to 20 as a high today!

Definitely keep the Night Shine tour in the back of your mind for the next trip. You won't regret it!

Just wanted to thank you for convincing me to do Gatorland. We just left and had so much fun. Ended up spending 4.5 hours there and did so much.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Just wanted to thank you for convincing me to do Gatorland. We just left and had so much fun. Ended up spending 4.5 hours there and did so much.

Fantastic! It's such a fun, easy, place to spend a day. I'm glad it was a hit!